Some of the major differences between print and online reading are the genres of writing, mostly narrative versus informational; reading print is completed in more of a whole or small group setting and for online it is completed more individually; print is published and is more respected and online reading needs more evaluation (anyone can be an author online); there are more visual aspects in online reading; and more choices of where to take your reading in an online setting rather than text.

When looking at reading comprehension using print or online pieces there are differenced as well. Online pieces need to be modified for successful understanding. The site that is being read must be "cleaned up". Teachers can use readability.com to remove the clutter from the page. Students need to be able to summarize and scan the information on the page to see if it is of value. Also readers need to make sure the hyperlinks off the main page have value as well. Along with these differences, both settings have similarities such as, all readers must rethink, reread, and read-on to clarify ideas presented to fully comprehend. No matter what the medium is, comprehension must take place.

Technology can play a vital role in the acquisition and retention of vocabulary. To acquire and retain vocabulary, students need the visuals that technology can provide. Pictures can become a word map or hook for vocabulary. Technology can also provide the texts that is also needed to understand the vocabulary. Students must encounter the vocabulary in text.

In my experience with online reading, students need guidance with what to read, how to read it, and how to find it, especially in second grade. They need modeling to show them how to do it efficiently and safely. I agreed with how to implement online reading comprehension instruction; teacher-led, collaborative modeling, and inquiry. Informative suggestions on how to make comprehension easier, for instance, using readability.com to unclutter the page. I liked that suggestion.

I have been creating word webs and picture dictionaries with my students for years, but taking it online and creating them there will be very memorable and provide more visual opportunities for the students.

Flat Stanley is a book that provides multiple opportunities to integrate literacy with social studies. From reading comprehension, to letter writing to geography, Flat Stanley gives students the opportunity to explore and become aware of their global community. The website and applications that are provided for studying this text are extensive. I have used friendly letter writing and commuity workers (mailmen) to tie this book into our second grade curriculum. Now I look forward to using Skype and online videos to integrate with. Great book!

Internet Workshop is the one I have used in my classroom, but not exactly like the article described. I would really love to be able to differentiate the websites that the students are looking at to do their research. I would like my students to create a whole informational book instead of a report. I would also like to include my blog as a reflection or publishing piece for their research. These workshops are very exciting to me.

Here's the place to discuss online reading issues like: What are the major differences between print-based and online reading comprehension (instruction)? What are reasons and methods to support... more

I had heard of Flat Stanley previously. In fact I have a few of the books in my classroom library, however, I have never participated in the Flat Stanley project. I found it really fascinating (but... more

In first grade we did a "kind of" Flat Stanley at Christmas time with gingerbread men. They decorated them and sent them all over the country. My uncle made a video in Atlanta for the kids to see, it ... more

Heather- That is an awesome idea! I taught second grade before moving to first and I really miss Flat Stanley. I elected not to do it with my first graders, because I didn't want to take something... more

I like the idea of creating an Animoto or some other digital presentation with the images or videos you get back from the project. Kids could even write a journal or diary of his travels based on... more

How fun would it be to set up a twitter account for Flat Stanley (or the gingerbread man) and then have people post tweets of the adventures and things that were seen? I thought of that earlier and I ... more

I loved the way the teachers said this helped kids "recycle" words. My favorite part of this activity is when the teacher gives 4 true or false statements using the vocabulary words. It makes the... more

I think you brought up some really great points in your post. I especially like what you pointed out about the major differences between print and online reading. I guess in some respects there are... more

The differences between print and online reading comprehension were pretty interesting. After reading, I came to the conclusion that there really is no difference between the two, although before... more

I think it's funny that when I tell my kids to look up a word their first instinct is to use the computer. The actual physical dictionary is a second-thought for them. They're like, oh yeah, that set ... more

There are so many reasons that online reading and print-based reading can be comprehended differently. As pointed out by the LearnNC article, print-based reading is typically in narrative format... more

I did an internet workshop with my students last year and they loved it. I modeled it for them first and we made a class book together and researched together. So, when I let them start on their own... more

I couldn't agree with you more. We used Internet workshops for animal research projects. After I had modeled this for my class and we created a class book, they flew when it was their turn. They... more

I'm going to use them more this year too! My kids loved it because it made them feel like a grown up, searching for information on the internet! All of my kids were engaged too, from the very top to... more

I'm going to be honest, I had never heard of an internet workshop (except I had seen it mentioned on the boards) before reading the article about it today. I thought it was such a great idea. I do a... more

I also did an internet workshop last year while completing our informational texts. With kinders I chose to complete our class book WHILE they were completing their individual books. For example,... more

Kassy I thought about doing it that way and I may try it like that this year. The way I did it was to do our class book together and model for them how to reseach and write the book together. Then... more

That is wonderful!!! It's amazing how independent they can be if we just LET them be and trust them! They are capable of so much more than we'd expect! I am so excited to teach informational writing... more

I read the article by Dalton and Grisham about 10 ways to use technology to help teach vocabulary. With vocabulary playing a significant role in common core I thought it was great to see how to... more

Ashley, I thought I would share my favorite and most recommended vocabulary App with you following your post. It is The Free Dictionary by Farlex; the thing that makes it so great is that they have a ... more

The major difference between print and online reading are how they are displayed. In the Kretzschmar article it said that although most of the candidates preferred text on paper, there is no evidence ... more

You make a good point. There are many times that I just pull something up online because I don't want to run copies. I think that is one reason kids are use to online text. Some kids seem to do good... more

It is important to note where the study took place but it is also important to note the difference in generations and experiences. Some kids are very familiar with online reading while some are not.... more

My students do pretty well with online reading. My students get really excited about reading on a Kindle, because most of them don't have this type of technology at home. As far as if the skills are... more

I have seen the same trends in my school. My students who don't have a lot of access to technology at home enjoy using it at school more. I can also see students compressing both just the same, it's... more

I think it is a helpful strategy too. It reminds me of doing jigsaw groups. Where you have a "home team" of maybe four students (or however many depending on readings and class numbers) and then each ... more

Online reading engages students during independent work. It allows more access to resources such as informational text and can be followed with research. Online vocabulary tools enhance learning and... more

Does your computer have computer monitoring software where the teacher can see what the students are working on from one computer? I've found that to be particularly helpful during internet searches. ... more

What is this software called? I know that the computers at my school do not have this but that would be so helpful. Whenever my students are working on computers I'm always circulating but when you... more

One good thing about online reading is the wide availability of material. An important part of fluency is practice in reading. By providing students with high quality digital reading, we can increase ... more

Reading the words in text, practicing with the words and creating a network which the word fits into, are ways the digital world can assist us in helping students learn new vocabulary. The most... more

As we discussed in our Tech Group Conversation the finding between online reading and print-based reading in relation to comprehension was shocking. We just knew that online reading would show a drop ... more

Lindsay, could the reason they get frustrated with the benchmarks while reading online because that is the only time they are exposed to them in that way? Is there a way to use those tools in a... more

Yes, I think so Bre. The test are harder and of different quality than what we use in class as you know. However, I definitely think exposure is a factor. It is hard to give them enough exposure with ... more

After meeting with my group about the online reading articles a couple of things stuck out to me. In regards to print based and online reading instruction, I didn't find much of a difference, the... more

Webquests are a staple in my classroom for building background knowledge on a topic. Some of my advice, don't ask too many questions. The webquest needs to be something they can manage in one or two... more

In response to your message about webquests I have a link for all those interested in learning how to build/create their own: Web Tool Wednesday Webinar Email my work email cbradshaw@burke.k12.nc.us... more

Robyn, Thank you so much for your thoughts. I had never thought about using them as building background knowledge but I can see how that would work well. I think I'm going to create a worksheet or... more

I like the idea of having a powerpoint to go with the vocab. You could also have them create their own, act it out, make an animoto of the new terms, or create a book. This puts more power in their... more

Heather, I have never actually thought about having them make their own, but that's definitely something that you could have them do. I think then they will really have to internalize what they are... more

Natalie, when setting up internet workshops, look up specific animals, for instance. One site that works for all of the animals we study is http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ . This site can be ... more

I love this idea of doing internet workshops. I have never thought about it before but after reading these articles I feel like they could be implemented in the classroom very easily. The fact that... more

That's what I'm thinking Breanna! Using these internet workshops have become so interesting to me because they are controlled and the students are control of their own learning and it makes them be... more

Students really need to have a lot of training before they start open surfing. Even my high school students are overwhelmed by the amount of material out there. I like the idea of the controlled... more

You are right about how overwhelming it can be to search for information on the internet. Sometimes I get overwhelmed looking for information about a topic. I also sometimes feel frustrated when I... more

Natalie, I read the article from Learn NC. It talked a lot about how students are distracted by popups, videos, images and etc that come along with online reading. There was an interesting site... more

It's probably a good idea to work with students on good internet researching skills before doing an internet workshop. Sort of like doing a nonfiction text components scavenger hunt but the internet... more

I read about that readability. I think that if you have a child who needs to do research online to use that readability because it will help them! But those strategies are so important as well!! I... more

I really liked those tools. I find myself being just like that kid. I tend to go from page to page when researching and eventually realize that I have gotten off track and wasted so much time. I may... more

Yes, I think it is the natural ADD in all of us. It is human nature to become distracted. I have to distance myself from distractions. We have to learn behaviors and how to get around them. That is... more

Learning about the differences between print based and online reading comprehension surprised me. There was no difference in comprehension between the two. I know I often think it is difficult to... more

In our tech group that was one of the things we talked about, that we enjoyed being able to physically write on printed materials, especially for learning purposes. Dr. K shared with us something... more

Breanna, It is like we talked about in our Tech Group meeting, depending on our purpose for reading determines whether we should read online or have a hard copy. If I am reading for pleasure I don't... more

The purpose of what we are reading does change how we would want to read it. Our ESL learners do need way more visual clues to understand vocabulary. I enjoyed reading the idea in Dalton's article... more

Breanna, I really liked the idea as well of taking the pictures of kids and having them label them. Where do you think you would put these pictures after you took them? Would you start a class album? ... more

The class album is a great idea. I know that at my old school (I'm not sure if we have it at my new school) we had a chart printer. You could take a regular sized document and make charts out of it.... more

I was surprised that reading on an e-reader, tablet or paper did not make much difference in younger readers. I think this generation is used to reading on this type of technology, however; based on... more

I love my kindle and I haven't bought an actual book in a long time. I love the availability when using my kindle. I can find a buy a book and have it right then and there is so much available. I do... more

That's funny because I have a kindle (and the app downloaded onto my iPhone and iPad and I enjoy the convenience of it) but I also really prefer actual physical books. I think that's neat that we are ... more

Okay Team-Real Books, I am going to pose a thought for you... Sometimes reluctant/resistant readers are hesitant to read because a whole 'real' book is over whelming. I mean, all those pages to read, ... more

I wonder, too, if this upcoming generation will be more adapted to digital books as opposed to "real" books. I wonder which they'll enjoy reading more. It is so amazing how everything is evolving... more

I internally groan when I think about the EOG's being on-line but then I realize that the MAT, which I had to take to get into grad school was an on-line assessment. I do wonder how that transition... more

There truly are some practicality issues that I'm not sure how they'll work it out. I'm sure they will come up with something though. But instead of testing being "two days"-ish. It is going to take... more

I've never done vocabulary journals, but I have done a tech version of the Rosenbaum organizer on Glogster. Students are able to illustrate their word that way. I've also done a paper version where... more

I do something similar to your vocabulary four square. I call it a word web (the original idea I got it from it looked like a web but it is easier and more roomie to split or fold the paper into... more

Heather, great input..You mentioned drawing of vocabulary words. All research points to this being a strong factor in acquiring understanding and full use of words. Anything visual is needed, along... more

Heather, I do think this generation of learners is so wrapped up in technology that they are more apt to success when engaging in these materials. However, when I had my students on the program... more

Lindsay, You are right! Hopefully we have instilled so much of comprehension as a reading piece that they just do it automatically. Mine tend to rush through LEXIA (A word study program) so that they ... more

That is one of the great things about mobile devices. They do strip away all of the extra things that can steal your focus. I was also surprised by the findings of that study. I would have thought... more

Heather, I really enjoyed the vocabulary articles also. There were a TON of resources to use. I like the collaborating to find definitions. I like to have kids talk them out before they look up the... more

I really like to get kids discussing new vocabulary as well. I think it is so important, especially when they are encountering new words that they discuss it with each other. We did a book study as a ... more

When we do our text complexity units we pick out a couple words to discuss through the week. For example with the word poverty the students would first discuss it then they would use context clues... more